Trucks are fun, cool, and very capable, and while there are plenty of trucks on the market that are genuine workhorses, the Honda Ridgeline is not. Sure, it has a decent tow rating and can haul stuff pretty well, but in comparison to most other trucks in its class, the Ridgeline is like a small whimper in a rowdy crowd. But that’s not to say it’s useless, in fact, if you’re looking for a used truck, then the 2017 Honda Ridgeline is perfect if you don’t really need a truck.

The Honda Ridgeline drives like a Pilot and looks like a truck

The first-generation Honda Ridgeline, produced from 2006 to 2014, was a weird truck even back then. It had a unibody construction, a dual-action tailgate, an in-bed trunk, and a flying-buttress cab that made it look a little less truck-like. But for the 2017 model year, Honda brought back the Ridgeline in a more serious way by making it look more like a truck, with the driving characteristics and interior of a Honda Pilot.

Of course, the setup almost seemed like blasphemy to serious truck enthusiasts and, needless to say, the Ridgeline didn’t offer up much competition to more hardcore rivals like the Toyota Tacoma or the Nissan Frontier, but we think it did fill a void that the others didn’t. Unlike the rough-and-tumble rides offered by its rivals, the Ridgeline actually drove and rode smoothly – thanks to its Pilot underpinnings and engine setup – and had enough towing and hauling capability for everyday use.

The Honda Ridgeline is a more than enough truck for most truck buyers

If you’re currently in the market for a used truck and tired of looking at the sky-high prices of older Tacomas, then the 2017 Honda Ridgeline could be a great alternative. Under its hood is a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque and it can tow up to 3,500 pounds in its front-wheel-drive form, which increases to 5,000 pounds if you opt for an all-wheel-drive one. And we do recommend finding one of those as Honda’s Intelligent Traction Management system offers different driving modes for different terrains thanks to the system torque-vectoring abilities.

Technical features aside, the Honda Ridgeline’s interior is a nice place to spend time in. If you can find one of the higher RTL or Black Edition trim levels, you’ll be treated to amenities like leather seats, an acoustic windshield, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple Carplay and Android Auto, and the Honda Sensing suite of driver-assist features.

Additionally, the RTL-E and Black Edition trim come with a heated steering wheel, a truck-bed audio system, and a 400-watt in-bed power inverter. And in case you’re wondering, the Black Edition does come fully “murdered-out” with black trims pieces, black paint, black wheels, and a black headliner.

If you need a truck, but not really, the Honda Ridgeline could be perfect

As we can see, the Honda Ridgeline isn’t exactly a construction worker’s dream in terms of full-on capability, nor is it an off-road queen. But what the Ridgeline excels at is being a truck for the everyday person that needs some extra hauling space for those weekend home projects and random trips to the hardware store in addition to some light towing.

Also, if you looked at the used market, you can currently find a 2017 Honda Ridgeline for anywhere between $25,000 to $35,000 depending on the truck’s condition, location, and trim level. Case in point: If you’re looking for a truck that’s reliable and can drive like a normal SUV on the days you don’t really need a truck, the 2017 Honda Ridgeline could be perfect for you.